Building Structures and Components Therefor

ABSTRACT

A building component for a structure, the building component including a component body which includes two spaced apart and generally parallel interconnected side walls having opposed ends and opposed longitudinally extending sides, the building component being adapted to join with a second building component or to a connector for joining the building component to the second building component, the building component further including a plurality of coupling elements arranged at spaced-apart intervals along a length of the sidewalls from one of the longitudinal sides to the other and arranged such that in use the side walls can be cut or otherwise separated along the length thereof so as to provide a coupling element at the cut or separated end which is adapted to cooperate with a coupling element on said connector for securement of the component to the second building component or connector. A building component for a structure, the building component including a component body which includes two spaced apart and generally parallel interconnected side walls having opposed ends and opposed longitudinally extending sides, the building component being adapted for joining to another building component or to a connector for joining the building component to another building component, the building component further including coupling elements disposed at said opposed longitudinally extending sides of the sidewalls which cooperate for securement of the component to the other building component or connector, wherein each of the side walls comprises inner and outer skin elements which are spaced apart and interconnected by a plurality of webs which extend between the inner and outer skin.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to building structures and moreparticularly to components and assemblies for use in such structures.

One particular application concerns components and assemblies which areadapted to be used in the formation of building walls. It will beconvenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to thisparticular application however it is to be understood that the scope ofthe invention is not to be limited to that particular application. Itwill be apparent to the skilled addressee that the invention may finduse in other applications.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is known to construct building walls using hollow elements which canbe secured together and the hollow space filled with concrete to producea rigid structure. One problem associated with such structures is theirlack of versatility.

It is an object of the present invention to provide building componentsand assemblies which alleviate one or more of the aforementioneddisadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided abuilding component for a structure, the building component including acomponent body which includes two spaced apart and generally parallelinterconnected side walls having opposed ends and opposed longitudinallyextending sides, the building component being adapted to join with asecond building component or to a connector for joining the buildingcomponent to the second building component, the building componentfurther including a plurality of coupling elements arranged atspaced-apart intervals along a length of the sidewalls from one of thelongitudinal sides to the other and arranged such that in use the sidewalls can be cut or otherwise separated along the length thereof so asto provide a coupling element at the cut or separated end which isadapted to cooperate with a coupling element on said connector forsecurement of the component to the second building component orconnector.

Preferably the building component and connector have cooperatingcoupling elements mounted thereon which provide for a snap fitengagement between the connector and the component.

The coupling element associated with the coupling body may extendlongitudinally along that longitudinal side from one of the ends to theother.

The cooperating coupling elements may include a cavity on one part and atongue on the other part, the tongue being receivable within the cavityin a snap fit engagement. In one form the cavity is in the form of achannel which extends along the longitudinal side edge of the componentbetween the opposed ends. The cavity may include a mouth opening intothe cavity interior and a throat section through which the tongue passesin a snap fit fashion.

The building component may further include at least one cross-memberextending between the side walls. In one form the or each cross-memberis in the form of a transverse wall which is secured to or integral withan inner surface of each side wall. In one form the or each cross-membermay be releasably securable to the inner surface of each side wall. Tothis end the cross-member and each longitudinal side wall may includecooperating coupling elements which provide for a snap fit therebetween.Apertures may be provided in the transverse wall, the apertures beingspaced apart therealong in the longitudinal direction.

In one embodiment each of the side walls may comprise inner and outerskin elements which are spaced apart and interconnected by a pluralityof webs which extend between the inner and outer skin. In thisembodiment formations may be provided on the inner surfaces of the innerand outer skin elements the formations being arranged in spaced apartfashion along the skin elements so as to be capable for forming a throatsection of a coupling member. By this arrangement the side walls can becut or otherwise separated along the length thereof so as to provide acoupling element at the cut or separated end. The formations may bearranged in oppositely facing groups along the length of the skinelements.

The connector may be in the form of a panel having longitudinallyextending side edges extending between opposed ends. The couplingelements may be in the form of laterally extending flanges in the regionof the side edges each flange having a head portion which is receivedwithin the channel on the component in snap fit fashion. In one form twosuch flanges are provided, one at side edge region of the panel. Inanother form four such flanges are provided, two at each side edgeregion, the flanges at each side edge region extending laterally inopposite directions.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided abuilding component for a structure, the building component including acomponent body which includes two spaced apart and generally parallelinterconnected side walls having opposed ends and opposed longitudinallyextending sides, the building component being adapted for joining toanother building component or to a connector for joining the buildingcomponent to another building component, the building component furtherincluding coupling elements disposed at said opposed longitudinallyextending sides of the sidewalls which cooperate for securement of thecomponent to the other building component or connector, wherein each ofthe side walls comprises inner and outer skin elements which are spacedapart and interconnected by a plurality of webs which extend between theinner and outer skin.

The building component may include a male coupling element at one sideof the side wall and a female coupling element at the other side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to enable a clearer understanding of the invention drawingsillustrating example embodiments are attached and in those drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of building components according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detail of the components shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the building components shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a further isometric view of components of the type shown inFIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is a detail of part of the components shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of building components according to anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a further building component according to apreferred embodiment the invention;

FIG. 8 is a section view of a building component in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention, the building componentshown with a cap to inhibit leakage or overflow of a filler materialfrom a top of the building component onto a face of the component; and

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the cap shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a building component in accordance withanother example embodiment of the present invention, shown with aconnector for joining the building component to another buildingcomponent;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the building component and connector shown inFIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a building component in accordance withyet another example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown an assembly of building componentsaccording to one embodiment of the present invention. The assembly 10comprises a building component 20 and an end component 40 cooperativelyattached together by connector element 60. Each of the components may beformed from plastics materials such as thermoplastics such as polyvinylchloride for example and manufactured as an extrusion or by any othersuitable manufacturing process.

Building component 20 comprises a component body 21 having two spacedapart generally parallel side walls 22 and 23 with a plurality of crosswalls 24 extending therebetween. Each side wall 22 and 23 comprises aninner skin 26 and an outer skin 27 with a plurality of spaced apart webs28 therebetween. The component body 21 comprises opposed ends 31 and 32and opposed longitudinally extending sides 34 and 35.

Building component 40 is similar in structure to component 20 in that itcomprises longitudinally extending side walls 42 and 43, cross walls 44with each side wall comprising an inner and outer skin 45 and 46interconnected by webs 48. Building component 40 also includes an endwall 49 at one of the sides of the component body.

The assembly further includes the connector element 60 which operativelysecures the building components 20, 40 together. The connector element60 includes a main panel 62 which extends longitudinally of thecomponents when fitted, the panel having opposed longitudinallyextending edge portions 63 and 64. Spaced apart apertures 68 are formedin cross walls 24, 44 and panel 62.

The building components 20 and 40 and connector element 60 are providedwith cooperating coupling elements which provide for snap fit engagementbetween the parts being connected. In this regard components 20 and 40have channels 50 at each longitudinal side of the component body. Eachchannel 50 has a mouth 52 and formations providing for a throat 53formed by barbed formations 54. Component 20 has channels 50 at bothlongitudinal sides whereas component 40 has channels 50 at thelongitudinal side opposite to end wall 49. Pairs of formations arespaced along the components so that component 20 can be cut to a desiredlength with a coupling element being adapted for use at the cut length.

The connector element 60 comprises tongues 65 in the region of each edgeportion. The tongues 65 are in the form of longitudinally extendingflanges 66 having head sections 67. The arrangement is such that theheads 67 can snap fit into the channels 50 on the building components 20and 40. Rib 79 is disposed on an outer side of the edge portion 63 and64 so that the component edges abut the rib, so as to hold thecomponents snugly against one another.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of building component which isformed from a number of separate elements which can be assembledtogether. In this embodiment the assembly comprises two side wallmembers 122 and 123 which are interconnectible by a plurality of spacedapart cross members 124. Each side wall member 122 and 123 comprises aninner and outer skin 145 and 146 interconnected by webs 148. The sidewall members 122 and 123 are connected together by cross members 124which are secured to the inner skin of each side wall member. To thisend the side edges of the cross-members 124 have head sections 167 whichare receivable within channels 155 on the inner surfaces of the innerskins. The channels 155 have a throat section formed by barbedformations 154 on the inner surfaces of the inner and outer skins. Theformations are arranged in groups which face in opposite directions, sothat the component 120 may be cut to a desired length with a couplingelement being adapted for use at the cut length. Typical oppositelyfacing groups of formations are illustrated at 157 and 158 in FIGS. 6and 7.

Connector element 160 is of the same configuration as that describedearlier, except that the head section 167 includes a void 169. End plate168 is similar to the element 160 except that it only has one set offlanges.

FIG. 7 illustrates a corner element 170 which can connect componentstogether at an angle relative to one another.

FIG. 9 shows a cap 75 which is installed as shown in FIG. 8 at top andbottom of the building component 20 or 120 so that, when concrete orother filler, which may include mud, sludge, sand, or the like, ispoured into the component 20, 120 or 220, or 320, the concrete or otherfiller is inhibited from issuing and spilling onto the outside finishedface of the side wall members 22 and 23. The cap has apertures 77 whichallow concrete to be poured through and to mount reinforcing to key thecomponent 20 to a floorslab 99 above and to receive key elements frombelow.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show another example embodiment of building component220 wherein the connector element 260 has two flanges spaced on eitherside of void 269. Rib 279 is disposed on an outer side of the edgeportions 263 and 264 so that components 220 abut the rib 279 whenassembled, to facilitate snug or tight retention of the components 220.

FIG. 12 shows an example embodiment of another aspect of the presentinvention, wherein the component 320 includes cooperating couplingelements 360 integral with the sides of the sidewalls 322 and 323. Amale coupling element 371 and a female coupling element 372 areprovided. The male coupling element 371 includes a pair of flanges 366spaced apart across a void 369 and a head section 367 is in the form ofribs 373. The flanges 367 are configured to insert into channel 350,through throat 353 and are retained by barbed formations 354. Theengagement of the flanges 367 with the barbed formations 354 is a snapengagement.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless thecontext requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as“comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusionof a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not theexclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modificationsand/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions andarrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of theinvention.

1. A building component for a structure, the building componentincluding a component body which includes two spaced apart and generallyparallel interconnected side walls having opposed ends and opposedlongitudinally extending sides, the building component being adapted tojoin with a second building component or to a connector for joining thebuilding component to the second building component, the buildingcomponent further including a plurality of coupling elements arranged atspaced-apart intervals along a length of the sidewalls from one of thelongitudinal sides to the other and arranged such that in use the sidewalls can be cut or otherwise separated along the length thereof so asto provide a coupling element at the cut or separated end which isadapted to cooperate with a coupling element on said connector forsecurement of the component to the second building component orconnector.
 2. The building component and connector in accordance withclaim 1 wherein the cooperating coupling elements provide for a snap fitengagement between the building component and the connector.
 3. Thebuilding component in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein the couplingelement associated with the coupling body extends longitudinally alongthe longitudinal side from one of the ends to the other.
 4. The buildingcomponent in accordance with any previous claim wherein the cooperatingcoupling elements include a cavity on one part and a tongue on the otherpart, the tongue being receivable within an interior of the cavity in asnap fit engagement.
 5. The building component in accordance with claim4 wherein the cavity extends along the longitudinal side edge of thecomponent to form a channel between the opposed ends.
 6. The buildingcomponent in accordance with claim 4 or 5 wherein the cavity includes amouth opening into the cavity interior and a throat section throughwhich the tongue passes in a snap fit fashion.
 7. The building componentin accordance with any previous claim wherein the building componentfurther includes at least one cross-member extending between the sidewalls.
 8. The building component in accordance with claim 7 wherein theor each cross-member is in the form of a transverse wall which issecured to or integral with an inner surface of each side wall.
 9. Thebuilding component in accordance with claim 8 wherein the or eachcross-member is releasably securable to the inner surface of each sidewall.
 10. The building component in accordance with claim 9 wherein theor each cross-member and each longitudinal side wall includescooperating coupling elements which provide for a snap fit therebetween.11. The building component in accordance with any one of claims 8, 9 or10 wherein apertures are provided in the or each transverse wall, theapertures being spaced apart therealong in the longitudinal direction.12. The building component in accordance with any previous claim whereineach of the side walls comprises inner and outer skin elements which arespaced apart and interconnected by a plurality of webs which extendbetween the inner and outer skin.
 13. The building component inaccordance with any previous claim wherein formations may be provided onthe inner surfaces of the inner and outer skin elements the formationsbeing arranged in spaced apart fashion along the skin elements so as tobe capable for forming a throat section of a coupling member so that inuse the side walls can be cut or otherwise separated along the lengththereof so as to provide a coupling element at the cut or separated end.14. The building component in accordance with claim 13 wherein theformations may be arranged in oppositely facing groups along the lengthof the skin elements.
 15. The building component in accordance with anyprevious claim wherein the connector is in the form of a panel havinglongitudinally extending side edges extending between opposed ends. 16.The building component in accordance with any previous claim wherein thecoupling element is in the form of laterally extending flanges in theregion of the side edges each flange having a head portion which isreceived within the channel on the component in snap fit fashion. 17.The building component in accordance with claim 16 wherein two suchflanges are provided, one at a side edge region of the panel.
 18. Thebuilding component in accordance with claim 16 or 17 wherein four suchflanges are provided, two at each side edge region, the flanges at eachside edge region extending laterally in opposite directions.
 19. Abuilding component for a structure, the building component including acomponent body which includes two spaced apart and generally parallelinterconnected side walls having opposed ends and opposed longitudinallyextending sides, the building component being adapted for joining toanother building component or to a connector for joining the buildingcomponent to another building component, the building component furtherincluding coupling elements disposed at said opposed longitudinallyextending sides of the sidewalls which cooperate for securement of thecomponent to the other building component or connector, wherein each ofthe side walls comprises inner and outer skin elements which are spacedapart and interconnected by a plurality of webs which extend between theinner and outer skin.
 20. A building component substantially ashereinbefore described with reference to the attached drawings.